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Image projector with flexible reflective analog modulatorImage projector with flexible reflective analog modulator description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060291269, Image projector with flexible reflective analog modulator. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority on pending Canadian application no 2,507,177 filed on May 13, 2005, and is herein incorporated by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to an image projection system comprising micromirror based light modulators, more specifically comprising at least one array of flexible reflective analog modulators (FRAMs) configured to project a bidimensional monochromatic or multicolour image. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Light modulators find applications in a variety of fields including projection displays for entertainment or training, printing, machine vision and so on. In particular, electrostatically actuated light modulators, otherwise known as electrostatic light valves in the field of microelectrical mechanical systems (MEMS), may be used to control the propagation of light beams and the intensity thereof in various optical systems. [0004] In most conventional systems, the light valves are comprised of micromirrors whose surfaces are actuated between ON and OFF configurations using digital ON/OFF actuation voltages applied thereon. Generally, one of the ON or OFF configuration corresponds to a flat micromirror surface, a high quality of which being quite difficult to achieve and thus explaining the difficulty in creating high quality systems based on such conventional light valve technology. [0005] Furthermore, most conventional systems must generally operate with digital actuation voltages that provide static ON and OFF positions. As a consequence, grey scale modulation levels potentially available through the application of analog actuation voltages are not available in these systems. [0006] Also, some conventional modulators generally provide a response time which is too long for applications such as ultra-high resolution projection systems. [0007] Recently, a novel light modulator termed Flexible Reflective Analog Modulator, hereinafter referred to as FRAM, has presented significant improvements over like modulators, namely in its ability to overcome some of the above and other drawbacks of conventional modulators. Consequently, the use and application of these FRAMs in various optical apparatuses and systems have yet to be addressed, opening the possibility for a whole new realm of innovations in the fields relying on the use of light modulators, namely relating to optical intensity modulators and image projectors constructed on such technologies. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a novel optical apparatus for modifying the divergence of at least one reflected beam, the apparatus comprising at least one Flexible Reflective Analog Modulator (FRAM). [0009] It is also an aim of the present invention to provide a novel optical system for modulating the light intensity of at least one reflected beam, the optical system comprising an optical apparatus for modifying the divergence of at least one reflected beam, and the apparatus comprising at least one Flexible Reflective Analog Modulator (FRAM). [0010] It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a novel image projecting system comprising an optical system for modulating the light intensity of at least one reflected beam, the optical system comprising an optical apparatus for modifying the divergence of at least one reflected beam, the apparatus comprising at least one Flexible Reflective Analog Modulator (FRAM). [0011] Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided at least one flexible reflective analog modulator (FRAM), each said FRAM generally comprising a set of electrodes for applying an actuation voltage thereon and a flexible reflective member of variable curvature for divergently reflecting an input beam therefrom to produce a reflected beam, said actuation voltage inducing an electrostatic pressure on said flexible reflective member thus altering the shape and curvature of said member and inherently altering the divergence of said reflected beam. [0012] Also in accordance with the present invention, there is provided an optical apparatus for modifying the divergence of at least one reflected beam comprising at least one light source generating at least one input beam, at least one FRAM, an illumination optics comprising at least one lens, said lenses focusing said input beams to produce at least one focused beam, said focused beams each comprising a beam waist, each said FRAM having a FRAM position either in front of, behind or at one of said beam waists thus reflecting said focused beams therefrom and producing at least one reflected beam, the divergence of said reflected beams being determined by the position and curvature of said FRAMs, the latter being controlled by an actuation voltage applied thereon, said actuation voltage possibly being modulated by a waveform that minimizes the FRAM response time. [0013] Also in accordance with the present invention, there is provided an optical system for light intensity modulation comprising the aforementioned optical apparatus for modifying the divergence of at least one reflected beam, and a conversion optics for converting the variable divergence of said reflected beams into variable reflected beam intensities. [0014] Further in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a monochromatic image projector comprising the aforementioned optical system for light intensity modulation coupled with a scanning mechanism and a projection optics. For the operation of said image projector, said FRAMs are preferably configured in at least one linear array, thus producing, when illuminated by an illumination optics designed to address said linear arrays; at least one line of variable intensity light dots. The lines of variable intensity light dots are then scanned by said scanning mechanism and projected through said projection optics to form a bidimensional image. [0015] Still further in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a monochromatic image projector, as described above, comprising an electronic driver performing all FRAM driving functions, said FRAM driving functions comprising data processing, digital to analog conversion, waveform shaping, amplification and offset generation. [0016] Still further in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a multicolour image projector comprising the aforementioned optical system for light intensity modulation coupled with a scanning mechanism and a projection optics. For the operation of said multicolour image projector, said light sources preferably comprise at least 3 laser light sources each operating at different wavelengths, said FRAMs being preferably configured in at least 3 linear arrays, thus producing, when illuminated by an illumination optics designed to address said linear arrays, at least one coloured line of variable intensity light dots. The coloured lines of variable intensity light dots are then combined and scanned by the scanning mechanism and projected through the projection optics to form a bidimensional multicolour image. [0017] Still further in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a multicolour image projector, as described above, comprising an electronic driver performing all FRAM driving functions, said FRAM driving functions comprising data processing, digital to analog conversion, waveform shaping, amplification and offset generation. [0018] Accordingly, the present invention provides an optical apparatus comprising at least one light source generating at least one input beam, at least one Flexible Reflective Analog Modulator (FRAM), said FRAM generally comprising a flexible reflective member attached to a substrate by at least one leg extending outwardly therefrom, an electrode on said substrate and an electrode on said flexible reflective member thus forming a set of electrodes for applying an actuation voltage thereon, the optical apparatus further comprising an illumination optics comprising at least one lens, said lens focusing said input beam to produce at least one focused beam, said focused beam comprising a beam waist, said FRAM having a FRAM position either in front of, behind or at one of said beam waist and a FRAM orientation such that said focused beam is divergently reflected by said flexible reflective member of said FRAM to produce at least one reflected beam therefrom. [0019] The present invention also provides a light intensity modulator comprising: an optical apparatus for variably modifying a divergence of at least one reflected beam comprising at least one light source generating at least one input beam, at least one Flexible Reflective Analog Modulator (FRAM), said FRAM generally comprising a flexible reflective member attached to a substrate by at least one leg extending outwardly therefrom, an electrode on said substrate and an electrode on said flexible reflective member thus forming a set of electrodes for applying an actuation voltage thereon, said FRAM having a natural FRAM curvature in the absence of an actuation voltage applied thereon defined by a natural curvature of said flexible reflective member, and a variable FRAM curvature adjusted by a range of actuation voltages applied thereon, said optical apparatus further comprising an illumination optics comprising at least one lens, said lens focusing said input beam to produce at least one focused beam, said focused beam comprising a beam waist, said FRAM having a FRAM position either in front of, behind or at one of said beam waist and a FRAM orientation such that said focused beam is reflected by said flexible reflective member of said FRAM to produce at least one reflected beam therefrom, said reflected beam reflected by said FRAM having a variable reflected beam divergence dependent on the FRAM position and the variable FRAM curvature of said FRAM, and thus on the range of actuation voltages applied thereon; and a conversion optics for converting the variable reflected beam divergence of said reflected beam into a variable reflected beam intensity. [0020] The present invention further provides an image projector comprising: an optical apparatus for variably modifying the divergence of at least one reflected beam comprising at least one light source generating at least one input beam, a plurality of independently operated Flexible Reflective Analog Modulators (FRAMs) organized in at least one linear FRAM array, said linear FRAM array comprising at least one FRAM, each said FRAM generally comprising a flexible reflective member attached to a flat substrate by at least one leg extending outwardly therefrom, an electrode on said substrate and an electrode on said flexible reflective member thus forming a set of electrodes for applying an actuation voltage thereon, each said FRAM having a natural FRAM curvature in the absence of an actuation voltage applied thereon defined by a natural curvature of said respective flexible reflective member, a variable FRAM curvature adjusted by a range of actuation voltages applied thereon, said optical apparatus further comprising an illumination optics configured to address said linear FRAM array, said illumination optics focusing said input beam to produce at least one focused beam, said focused beam comprising a beam waist, said FRAM array having a FRAM array position either in front of, behind or at one of said beam waist and a FRAM array orientation such that said focused beam is reflected by said flexible reflective members of said FRAMs of said FRAM array to produce a plurality of reflected beams therefrom, each said reflected beam reflected by a respective FRAM of said FRAM array having a variable reflected beam divergence dependent on the respective FRAM position and the variable FRAM curvature of said respective FRAM, and thus on the range of actuation voltages applied thereon; a conversion optics for converting the variable reflected beam divergence of each said reflected beam into a variable reflected beam intensity, said linear FRAM array of independently operated FRAMs thus producing at least one line of variable intensity light dots; and a scanning mechanism coupled to a projection optics, said scanning mechanism scanning through said at least one line of variable intensity light dots in a scanning direction perpendicular thereto, thus projecting, in conjunction with said projection optics, a bidimensional image. 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